At the Business School flexible work opportunities can lead to long-term career opportunities.

Hashem, a third-year student enrolled in the Finance and Business course at the University of Sussex Business School, completed a virtual internship as part of his course. What began as a remote learning experience quickly developed into a three-month extension and, ultimately, a paid on-demand position as a Research Analyst (ESG & Financial Analysis) with Skillocity Business Solutions.

Hashem discovered the opportunity on the Sussex website and was keen to experience remote working, an increasingly common model in the finance sector. “I wanted to try working remotely, as it’s now a more common way of working. It was great to experience this way of working early in my career.” During the internship, Hashem worked and contributed to a range of strategic projects, including financial reporting, forecasting, investor reporting, and venture market analysis.

The experience allowed him to apply his course learnings: “The internship connected my academic coursework in finance and business with real-world applications, especially financial forecasting and market analysis.”
Alongside technical skills, Hashem strengthened his communication and professional writing through structured reports and research outputs. “Flexible working is great, but communication, professionalism, and meeting deadlines are essential.”

Before starting the internship, Hashem attended career resources and CV workshops offered by the University of Sussex, which helped him prepare competitive applications and approach the opportunity with confidence.

Following his strong performance, Hashem was offered a three-month extension of his internship. He was then invited to continue working in a paid, on-demand capacity. In his current role as a Research Analyst, he builds on the work he completed during his internships, particularly in ESG research and financial analysis.

Reflecting on his journey, Hashem encourages other students to take advantage of the opportunities available through the Business School. “The biggest lessons I’ve learned are that proactive communication, resilience, and professionalism can lead to great opportunities.”

He also emphasises the importance of self-discipline when working remotely. “Virtual internships require strong time management. Having a dedicated workspace and a daily schedule makes a huge difference.”